Scientists developing biodegradable micro capacitors can help reduce electronic waste

2024-01-17

With the continuous development of Internet of Things technology, we will see more and more battery powered connection devices, some of which will be disposable. For example, transportation packaging. A new biodegradable microcapacitor has been created, taking into account this situation.

This prototype device for 3D printing was designed by a team from the Empa Research Institute in Switzerland, organized by scientists Xavier Aeby and Gustav Nystr ö m. It consists of a flexible substrate on which a conductive layer, an electrode, and an electrolyte are deposited. Once printed, the entire component can be folded up, so the electrolyte is in the middle.

Aeby stated that the substrate is composed of a mixture of cellulose nanofibers and nanocrystals with glycerol; The conductive layer is composed of graphite, carbon black, and shellac; The electrode is composed of the same material as the substrate, as well as activated carbon and graphite; The electrolyte is composed of cellulose nanocrystals, glycerol, and table salt.

This prototype device for 3D printing was designed by a team from the Empa Research Institute in Switzerland, organized by scientists Xavier Aeby and Gustav Nystr ö m. It consists of a flexible substrate on which a conductive layer, an electrode, and an electrolyte are deposited. Once printed, the entire component can be folded up, so the electrolyte is in the middle.

Aeby stated that the substrate is composed of a mixture of cellulose nanofibers and nanocrystals with glycerol; The conductive layer is composed of graphite, carbon black, and shellac; The electrode is composed of the same material as the substrate, as well as activated carbon and graphite; The electrolyte is composed of cellulose nanocrystals, glycerol, and table salt. Researchers hope that this type of microcapacitor can ultimately be used in tools such as disposable or recyclable sensors, micro transmitters, or biomedical devices that are regularly charged through electromagnetic fields.

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